Essex Grand Buffet
Items
98
Avg Price
$5.73
Rating
4/5
Unique Items
78
Essex Grand Buffet vs Lobster King— Menu Price Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, 20 shared items, average cost, and ratings to help you decide which restaurant is the better value. Updated August 2026.
Lobster King
Items
295
Avg Price
$10.14
Rating
4/5
Unique Items
275
Essex Grand Buffet vs Lobster King — Key Takeaways
At-a-glance restaurant comparison data for price-conscious diners
Better Value
Essex Grand Buffet
Shared Items
20
Avg Price Gap
$4.41
Top Rated
Tie
Price analysis:
Lobster King averages $10.14 per item while
Essex Grand Buffet averages $5.73, making Essex Grand Buffet
approximately $4.41 cheaper per item on average.
Shared food categories:
chinese
Menu Item Price Comparison
20 itemsShared menu items ranked by largest price difference between Essex Grand Buffet and Lobster King
| # | Menu Item | Essex Grand Buffet | Lobster King | Price Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | House Special Fried Rice | $4.50 | $9.95 | $-5.45 |
| 2 | Vegetable Fried Rice | $2.99 | $7.95 | $-4.96 |
| 3 | Szechuan Shrimp | $4.99 | $9.95 | $-4.96 |
| 4 | Shrimp Fried Rice | $4.25 | $8.95 | $-4.70 |
| 5 | Hunan Beef | $4.75 | $8.95 | $-4.20 |
| 6 | Szechuan Beef | $4.75 | $8.95 | $-4.20 |
| 7 | Crab Rangoon(8) | $3.99 | — | $3.99 |
| 8 | Chicken Fried Rice | $3.99 | $7.95 | $-3.96 |
| 9 | Beef Fried Rice | $4.25 | $7.95 | $-3.70 |
| 10 | Shrimp Egg Foo Young | $6.25 | $9.95 | $-3.70 |
| 11 | Fried Chicken Wings(6) | $3.49 | $5.95 | $-2.46 |
| 12 | Sesame Chicken | $8.50 | $10.95 | $-2.45 |
| 13 | General Tso's Chicken | $8.50 | $10.95 | $-2.45 |
| 14 | Chicken Egg Foo Young | $5.75 | $7.95 | $-2.20 |
| 15 | Beef Egg Foo Young | $6.25 | $7.95 | $-1.70 |
| 16 | Wonton Soup | $1.50 | $2.50 | $-1.00 |
| 17 | Chicken Rice Soup | $1.50 | $2.50 | $-1.00 |
| 18 | Chicken Noodle Soup | $1.50 | $2.50 | $-1.00 |
| 19 | Seafood Soup | $5.99 | $5.95 | $0.04 |
| 20 | Egg Drop Soup | $1.50 | $1.50 | — |
Essex Grand Buffet vs Lobster King — Which Should You Choose?
When comparing Essex Grand Buffet and Lobster King menu prices, several factors come into play beyond just the per-item cost. Both restaurants share 1 food category (chinese), making them direct alternatives for diners deciding where to eat.
Essex Grand Buffet is the better value pick when looking at average menu item pricing. With Essex Grand Buffet averaging $5.73 per item and Lobster King at $10.14, the price difference of $4.41 per item can add up over multiple orders — especially for families or groups.
We track 98 menu items at Essex Grand Buffet and 295 items at Lobster King, with 20 items appearing on both menus under the same name. This overlap lets you directly compare identical items to see which restaurant charges less.
Looking at ratings, Tie leads with Essex Grand Buffet scoring 4/5 versus Lobster King at 4/5. While price matters, the overall dining experience and food quality reflected in these ratings are equally important factors in choosing between these two restaurants.
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Essex Grand Buffet vs Lobster King — Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing these two restaurants on price, menu, and value
Is Essex Grand Buffet or Lobster King cheaper?
Based on current menu data, Essex Grand Buffet offers better average value. Essex Grand Buffet averages $5.73 per item while Lobster King averages $10.14 per item. For the full ranked price list, see Essex Grand Buffet cheapest items and Lobster King cheapest items.
Which restaurant has a bigger menu — Essex Grand Buffet or Lobster King?
Lobster King has the larger menu with 295 items tracked compared to Essex Grand Buffet's 98 items. Between them, there are 20 shared items with the same name, plus 78 items unique to Essex Grand Buffet and 275 exclusive to Lobster King.
How many menu items do Essex Grand Buffet and Lobster King share?
Essex Grand Buffet and Lobster King have 20 overlapping menu items that appear on both menus under the same name. Essex Grand Buffet has 78 exclusive items and Lobster King has 275 items not found at the other restaurant. The table above shows the biggest price gaps between identical items at each location.
Which has a better customer rating — Essex Grand Buffet or Lobster King?
Both Essex Grand Buffet and Lobster King are rated equally — 4/5 from customer reviews. The decision between the two comes down to price, menu variety, and personal preference rather than quality alone.
What type of food do Essex Grand Buffet and Lobster King serve?
Both restaurants serve chinese. They share 1 food category, which makes them genuine alternatives for the same dining cravings. If you're looking for the best value within these categories, compare average prices in the key takeaways section above.
Where can I find the cheapest items at Essex Grand Buffet and Lobster King?
For budget-friendly meals, check our dedicated cheap eats guides: the Essex Grand Buffet cheapest menu items guide lists every item ranked by price from lowest to highest (average $5.73). The Lobster King cheapest menu items guide does the same (average $10.14). Both are updated August 2026.
How much can I save by choosing Essex Grand Buffet over Lobster King?
Choosing Essex Grand Buffet saves you approximately $4.41 per menu item on average. For a typical meal of 3–4 items, that adds up to roughly $15.44 in savings — meaningful for budget-conscious families or regular diners. Across a month of weekly visits, the cost difference can reach $62 or more.